Dental Crowns
Dr. Rachel C. Heard in Victoria, TX, offers three types of dental crowns: implant-supported crowns, CEREC® same-day crowns, and traditional crowns. During your consultation, she can recommend the right dental crown to restore or replace your tooth. We perform many crown-based restorations and will always recommend the most conservative solution for your needs. Crowns are only recommended when a standard filling is not an option.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps designed to cover a compromised tooth or a dental implant. They can be made from a variety of materials that blend with the surrounding teeth for a completely natural appearance. When a tooth has suffered a significant amount of damage or decay, there may not be enough healthy tissue left to support a standard dental filling following treatment, and a crown may be the best restorative approach. In some cases, a root canal may be needed to remove the infection from the tooth, and a dental crown can restore the remaining structure.
Traditional Crowns
Traditional crowns are custom crafted in a dental laboratory during a process that takes about two weeks. Once the patient's tooth has been treated, the dentist takes an impression that is sent to the laboratory. In the meantime, the tooth is protected by a temporary crown. When the crown is complete, the patient returns to have it permanently secured to the tooth with dental cement. The dentist will check the fit of the crown to ensure that it looks correct and achieves proper balance within the patient's bite.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns
We use CEREC technology to create custom crowns in the span of a single appointment. Once the tooth has been treated, we can use digital technology to capture a virtual impression. This information is transmitted to a special machine that uses automated tools to create a crown from a single block of porcelain chosen to match the color of the patient's teeth. In about an hour, the crown will be ready to try in. After any necessary adjustments have been made in order to achieve a proper fit, the crown is permanently attached to the tooth or implant.
Dr. Heard will examine your tooth, make a recommendation, and explain your options so you can make an informed decision.
Implant-Supported Crowns
If a single tooth has become severely decayed or damaged and cannot be salvaged through restorative treatments, extraction may become necessary. In this case, dental implant-supported crowns are usually the most beneficial solution. Dental implants are titanium posts designed to replace lost tooth roots. They are inserted directly into the jawbone. This not only allows them to provide excellent support, but also prevents the atrophy of bone tissue that follows the loss of a tooth. Dr. Heard refers all implant cases to her husband, who is an experienced periodontist.
Placing an implant requires two surgeries over the course of about three to six months. Once the implant has fully integrated with the bone tissue, your dentist can take an impression of the implant and surrounding teeth. This information will guide the design of your crown, which will connect directly to the implant.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you need a dental crown, call our office at (361) 575-4508 or reach out online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Heard. She will examine your tooth, make a recommendation, and explain your options so you can make an informed decision.
